The Beauty of Change

As long as the earth endures, seedtime and harvest, cold and heat, summer and winter, day and night will never cease. (Genesis 8:22)

As humans, we tend to complain a lot. We whine about it being too hot or too cold. We complain that we have too much rain, or not enough. We never seem to be happy. Aside from the weather, we tend to complain about our circumstances in life also.

How do we learn to be happy in all circumstances? How do we learn to be content and not complain about the hand we are dealt? Like the beauty we see in nature, there is beauty to be found in the difficulties of life also.

As the summer season of 2010 comes to an end, it makes me feel a little sad. I love the warm air and the feel of the summer sunshine on my face. I enjoy the beauty of the flowers that surround me, and the green grass and trees. It’s wonderful to walk outside or open my patio door on a summer morning and hear the birds singing happily. Birds love the sunshine, but they also love the rain. They never worry about the weather, but accept whatever God sends their way.

Although summer is my favorite season, living in Michigan allows me to enjoy the diversity of all four seasons. Fall is a beautiful time of year. The leaves turn gorgeous colors of red, orange and purple and the air is generally warm and dry, while in the summer it seems to be very humid. There is a “smell” to the fall air. It is a wonderful smell which brings back memories of my childhood. It is the smell of leaves drying on the ground, and apples ripening on the trees.

Now that I am older, I don’t enjoy winter so much because I don’t like cold, but as a child I was always very excited to see the first snowfall. As winter progressed and the snow piled up, we built igloos in the snow banks beside our driveway and we made snow men and snow angels in the snow. We also went ice skating, sledding and tobogganing. After the fun there was always a warm cozy house to come home to.

Then each year as winter nears it's end, we begin to look forward to spring. With spring comes the promise of new life. The rain showers of spring are essential to the growth and revival of that new life. The days begin to be longer. The buds on the trees begin to open up and the crocus, which is one of the earliest flowers of spring, begins to peek through the ground, followed by the Tulips and the Daffodils.

There is beauty to be found in each season of the year. The four seasons were created by God for our benefit. The next time you feel unhappy about it being too rainy or cold in the fall or the spring – The next time you find yourself thinking that you hate winter and all the snow and cold – The next time you whine about it being so unbearably hot on a summer day, remember that each season is a gift from God. If we never had days when the weather was uncomfortable because of the heat, cold, rain, or snow, we wouldn’t appreciate the beauty of the nice days. We would take it all for granted.

Each new season brings change. Sometimes we welcome that change. Other times as in the fall when we know winter is coming, the change is not so welcome. No matter what the change of season, it is always good for us. The cold of winter helps us to appreciate and look forward to the warmer spring and summer months. The heat of summer then leads us to look forward to the cool days of autumn and the winter months ahead.

Like the seasons of the year, we face change in our lives also. Sometimes that change is welcome, and makes us happy and excited. Other times it is not so welcome and may make us sad, lonely or discouraged. But through the eyes of faith we always know that change is for our good. We always know that our loving God and Father is in charge. He can see the big picture. He knows what is best for us. He will guide and direct us down the path He needs us to walk.

Like the beauty we find in each season of the year, there is beauty in each season of our lives also. The next time you find yourself feeling unhappy or sad about the circumstances of your life, remember that God is in charge. He will give you what you need when you need it, no matter how good or how bad it may seem. Trust in Him. He knows what is best for you. Remember these words from Psalm 30:5; weeping may remain for a night, but rejoicing comes in the morning. The problems we face in this life are nothing compared to the glory that awaits us in heaven.

I know what it is to be in need and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through him who gives me strength. (Philippians 4: 12,13)

By Kristeen – To God be the Glory!